Customer Reviews

I Am The Cheese

5 star:		(129)
4 star:		(79)
3 star:		(44)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(29)

 

 

As a young child, I considered Robert Cormier one of my heroes. He wrote engaging, enigmatic stories that did not pander to his young adult audience, yet his novels were not too tough-and-stringy for such readers to digest. I read his entire catalog of books, from "The Chocolate War," to "Fade," and everything else in between, and each enthralling book helped me to examine (what were) complex social and moral issues. His books were refreshing and thought provoking, and I greatly appreciated Cormier's assumption that young children were capable of understanding three dimensional characters, hard truths, and pain more substantial the pain of a friend moving away or of losing a beloved pet.

Cormier's novels had a deep and beneficial impact on my developing personality, and I thank him.

Over the years, although I did not forget his name, I did not think about Cormier very much. He served his purpose, I felt, and had nothing new to offer.

Many of us know already that Robert Cormier recently passed away. I read it in the Boston Globe, and I was deeply saddened. I decided to, out of respect, re-read my favorite of his novels, "I am the Cheese." I was a little nervous, expecting to be disappointed.

This was not the case. "I am the Cheese," is a novel that is in many ways formatted for children. However, it is also a novel that can bring back (and make real), for those adults who want them, the feelings of loneliness, despair, suffocation, and unreasonable fear that we felt when we were thirteen or so.

This is no summer Disney flick with a few hidden tongues-in-cheek for Mom n' Dad. "I am the Cheese" is a (yes) simple, but POWERFUL tour-de-force of brittle yet sepulchral sentiment.

As adults (and I guess I am one, but only by default), we pretty much have our minds made up about any issue we might come across. Conservative or liberal, religious or agnostic, and so on. I strongly recommend this book for adults, because it is a gateway to the mind of that child we try so hard to forget; the child who is alone, running away, in constant motion, trying to cope and trying to make sense of it all. And doing just that without the benefit of a helpful tradition of longstanding opinion or any sense of real identity.

Finally, adults should keep in mind that this, or any of Cormier's novels, really are excellent books for growing young adults. Yes, Cormier is notoriously associated with banned books and with inciting rebellion in the minds of young readers. Many parents are protective about what ideas their children are exposed to, and do not want to reinforce such messages. Others feel that such frank material is not suitable for an impressionable mind. Keeping this in mind, I nonetheless ask all parents to yank the (flavor of the month) Backstreet Boys' unofficial bio out of the hands of your daughters, and the 50 page, illustrated, pro wrestling advert out of your sons'. You may replace this saccharine, rotting, yet somehow book-shaped compost with "I am the Cheese," (or at least some Sallinger).

Before it is too late...

Rest in peace, and thank you, Mr. Cormier. You have my love.

Chilling. Sometimes authors can be separated into "Authors That End Their Depressing Book Hopefully" and "Authors That End Their Books In Deep Dark Dank Despair". Robert Cormier is of the latter category. In his remarkable, "I Am the Cheese", Cormier tells the technically adept tale of Adam Farmer. Cutting between scenes in which Adam tries to remember the events of his past and scenes of him riding his bike on a small quest to find his father, the book is a deft portrayal of what is real and what is imagined.

More than anything else, this is one of the rare psychological thrillers written specifically for youth. As Adam realizes what has happened to him, so too does the reader. And as Adam starts to mistrust his interrogator, ditto the reader. Clues to Adam's past come to him slowly, their subtlety impressive. For example, Adam discovers that his has two birth certificates. One says his correct birthday. The other, a birth date in a completely different month. This is a small discovery on his part, but a perfectly chilling one. He doesn't understand the significance of this discovery, nor does the reader, but we're compelled to discover what it all means.

If you've a kid who'd be interested in a book with an unreliable narrator, you couldn't do much better than this. Adam is sympathetic, but ultimately not in control of any of the forces that guide his travels. He is the world's victim, a fact explored fully at the novel's shocking close. DO NOT read the last page of this book if you want to be surprised. I, myself, caught an accidental glance and knew more than I ever wanted to as a result. This is not a book for anyone who likes their protagonist to overcome his/her personal struggles and triumph in some small way in the end. Nor is it a book for those who like the protagonist to use his/her brains to outwit his/her enemies and triumph in the end. This is more a book for those who like their protagonist to be helpless in the face of an unspeakable accepted evil and who will not triumph in any way at all in the end. Not your cup of tea? Avoid this book. Want a good book with a riveting story? Then enjoy the delights of, "I Am the Cheese".

Very much llike the title, "I am the cheese" (a book by Robert Comier)is rich in mystery, suspence and lip-biting climaxes.

The "Farmers" ;the main family in this story, undergo changes due to a past event... .Changes made include scenery jobs,house...and even identity.All changes for the better? The story centres around "Adam Farmer",the only child of Mr and Mrs"Farmer".He has a normal life ,unil he finds "his" birth certificates. More clues come up and he becomes a spy;watching and listening around the house. There are secrets,there's evidence. What aren't his parents telling him?

That was in the past, his on a journey now.cycling round the memories,around the psylumn. He's now traumatized by the past.The past he "can't remember".

But what happened?What forced him to "forget"? He's in an Asylumn ,but why is there? He says he's cycling to his father in Ruttenburg ,but why are they apart and where is his mother?

This book's a psychological thriller.A good read yet a little stinjy with the clues as to solving the mystery.The book constructs blocks of suspence with levels of clues. Climaxes come through out and right at the end is a unbelievably twisted surprize.

The story's set in Rutternberg,Vermont and in Monument Massachusetts.The setting's effectiveness lies in the thought of such a big thing happening in a well developed place ,yet it wasn't noticed or stopped... It makes me kind of think that something like this could be happening here in South Africa, JHB and I wouldn't even know about it.

The auther gives a heavy message lightly.A warning to us to open our eyes ,take notice and do something about things. He brings it through in a confusing, mind working yet entertaining way.

I'm stunned and applaud it's brilliance.For those who are hungry for a super thriller,"I am the cheese" dishes u a small dose of confusion and juicey chunks of mystery.It's more for those above the age of 11.

-A definate must-read,never-put-me-down novel. Nonyam ,South Africa

The favourite book of the day

I am the Cheese By Robert Cormier

I am the cheese is a heart beating thriller EDont be fooled by its name. The main character of this book is a lost, confused soul trying to find his past and his future. He is on a journey to find his father but the difficulties he has to go through! To find out about his past and future of his life, with long and short discussions with a therapist trying to help him. What has he forgotten and why has he forgotten? This is not your typical hero save the day story. This story has mostly everything, adventure, exploration, romance, excitement.

Adam is the characters name Eor is it? One day, when Adam decides to take his fathers old bike along with a package for his father, he sets out to a town but on the way there finds it is not as easy as it seems. In the mean time, he is sitting in a doctors room!

This book is mainly a serious hard-to-put-down book. The theme of the book is about real life and how you can trust no one except yourself and only them know who you are in life!

I would have to say this book is the hard to put down, if you are the thriller type. Age 15 and up ward would enjoy this book because it can be hard to understand at times. It is good to think over the book at places before trying to read on. It comes together well at the end but dont expert a romance even though it does have a bit of romantic friendship to it - Susan Trompeter

Kids: When you're over Harry Potter and Narnia, and you want a challenging book that will make your head spin, read this book. It's about a young adolescent named Adam on his way to see his father in another town. He's riding his bike alll the way there. There is something strange going on from the beginning, yet, we're not sure what. In addition to this story, we're also seeing Adam being interviewed by a psychiatrist, supposedly after this bike ride has occurred. It is an extremely well-done book, and many kids find it to be a favorite and want to read it over again as soon as they finish it. Some get a little frustrated by it because they want very simple stories that require no thinking. If you are like this, don't read this book--yet. But come back to it when you are ready. (It's sort of like "The Sixth Sense" because it has this shocker ending. Very Cool.)

Parents/Adults: If you're not familiar with this book, read it. It can be enjoyable and challenging for readers of any age. But, I suggest it for readers who are not easily frustrated and who seek challenging books. 7th grade and up.

When I bought this book, it was because it was thirty cents in a library sale. I did NOT think I would finish it in just over a day. I did not think I would love it. But somehow both of these things happened.

I AM THE CHEESE is a novel that is hard to review, because without giving away the ending it has a very basic, even boring-seeming plot. (Boy rides bike across several states to visit his father in a hospital. Thrilling.) But between this are psychiatric sessions with that same boy, Adam, with the psychiatrist an unknown man. Is he good, trying to help Adam recall his dangerous past? Or is he evil, trying to learn Adam's secrets and then dispose of him? Who IS he?

The sense of dread and mystery that permeates this novel makes it the finest psychological horror story I have ever read. As Adam slowly uncovers his past -- a past filled with dangerous escapes, corrupt government, murder, and the ever-mysterious gray man -- the reader starts to understand that something very strange is going on, and perhaps the story of the bike journey is not as straightforward as it seems. Perhaps the psychiatrist is far more than he seems at first glance. Perhaps the song that Adam sings -- the Farmer in the Dell -- and its final phrase, The Cheese Stands Alone, has more meaning for him than just a childhood song. Perhaps Adam himself -- the narrator whose thoughts you hear on the page -- is less trustworthy than you thought.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommended.

Rating: Masterpiece

Adam Farmer is on a journey. A journey back in time, into his mind where he discovers his worst fears.

In this psychological thriller Adam, a young boy is being interviewed by a psychiatrist who is trying to prise information out of him to help him. On his journey to Rutterburg he discovers many things. Things that place him in great danger and from which he desperately tries to hide. He is in many places; at home on the road and with his doctor. His family is hiding from something and are always running away from danger. He remains brave throughout his journeys where he receives many shocks and surprises.

Cromier keeps the reader in suspense by giving clues in places where you don't expect them. You slowly unravel the story by adding the clues together which basically only start to make sense in the second last chapter.

Adam is all over the show which might confuse you. The book is unusual and so many characters enter the story that it is hard to keep track of them all. ...

"I am the cheese" is a compelling book which keeps you in suspense until the end. It allows you to solve the clues on your own and really makes you think. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recomend it to people who like mysteries and thrilling books.

The book "I am the Cheese" by Robert Cormier is a psychological masterpiece. It deals with a boy, Adam Farmer or so you think, trying to uncover his past. This book always keeps you guessing because you always ask so many questions and wonder what happened to that boy. Will he ever get to deliver his package to his father? What happened that was so terrible to make his father leave? What happened to his mother? Why is he seeing a psychologist? Is he really in a psych ward? When and how did he get out? Did he ever get out? His race to uncover his past becomes your race to uncover his past. The ending is unbelievable. No matter how hard you try you will never guess the ending. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down. It makes you really think of how tragic some peoples' lives really are.

I find this book to be confusing. There are many interpretations. I have tried to figure them all out, however how do I know which is correct. Is he so paranoid that he dreams up all his stories? Has the government nabbed him up and is holding him to find out the truth about his family?

It starts out with Adam riding his bike in search of his father at a hospital. After many encounters with who you think are strangers while he is riding his bike, the last chapter ties all those so called strangers together as familiar people. While reading this book it jumps from past to present in which you as the reader are not sure where Adam is coming from. While Adam is on his journey on his bike he seems so alone and confused....

I found that this book could have explained itself better. I was left feeling empathy for Adam and very confused about the ending. It sort of leaves you hanging.

I Am The Cheese is one of the most beautiful books I have read in my entire life, and because I was so surprised by this tale I was forced to read it several times. I Am The Cheese is the poetic story of self-discovery and confusion narrarated by a high school boy named Adam Farmer. His family is one of many dark secrets because of the very dark, threatening world around them, and the Farmers' tale reveals the significance of the phrase "trust no one." In the beginning of the book Adam is on his way from Massachusetts to Vermont to visit his father, and as the story unwinds both the reader and Adam learn many things about the boy's life...Unpredictable, surprising, and oddly familiar secrets about a boy who anyone who comes into contact with this novel may assume that they actually know.